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Texas Tech football's David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez make cut as awards semifinalists
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- Texas Tech football's David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez make cut as awards semifinalists
The list of semifinalists for the Lombardi Award has a heaping helping of Texas Tech football flavor. The list of semifinalists for the Butkus Award has Red Raiders representation, too.
Both lists were released on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
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Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez are two of the 13 remaining candidates for the Lombardi Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top college lineman or linebacker. The award originated in 1970, shortly after the death of NFL coaching great Vince Lombardi.
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Rodriguez is one of the 12 remaining candidates for the Butkus Award, which goes annually to the country's top high-school, college and professional linebackers. The Butkus Award originated in 1985 and was named for NFL great Dick Butkus. It's been given to the top college linebacker since 1985 and also has been presented to one high school and one NFL linebacker since 2008.
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"We're in the situation we're in because of them two," Tech associate head coach Kenny Perry said on Tuesday. "They're unbelievable football players. They've totally changed the dynamic of this team.
"Jacob, you've guys have seen him for four years, do what he's done at a high level. Great locker-room guy. David just got here, and it's kind of like David's been here for four years. He's a great teammate, and he gives us something off the edge that we haven't had."
Bailey, in his first year at Tech after transferring from Stanford, is the FBS leader in sacks with 11 1/2. He's been credited with 27 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Jayce Brown (1) is tackled by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Amier Boyd (27) and linebacker David Bailey (31) during the third quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Rodriguez, a fifth-year senior, is in his fourth year with the Red Raiders after spending his freshman year at Virginia . He's the FBS leader in forced fumbles with seven, one short of the Tech single-season record of eight set by safety Dwayne Slay in 2005. Rodriguez has been credited with 77 tackles, including 8 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery.
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No. 9 Texas Tech (8-1, 5-1 in the Big 12) ranks first in the FBS in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. The Red Raiders' per-game yields are 74.6 yards rushing, 196.8 yards passing, 271.3 total yards and 13.2 points.
"They're making plays," Perry said. "Mello (edge defender Romello Height ) is making plays. All those linebackers. The secondary. I think those two right there, though, that's a great example of making everyone around you better, because of the way play — and the way they practice. ... When you come out there and watch them, they practice like they play, and it bleeds down to those younger guys."
Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez scans the Oregon State offense during a non-conference football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
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Tech cornerback Brice Pollock is tied for sixth in the FBS with four interceptions and has a fumble recovery. He got one each in the Red Raiders' 43-20 victory last week at Kansas State.
"I'm proud of them," Pollock said of Bailey and Rodriguez. "It's been great seeing how good they are. David obviously helps me a lot, getting pressure. Then J-Rod, I've never seen someone so good at punching the ball out, so they're very well-deserving of those awards for sure."
Four finalists for the Lombardi Award will be announced on Nov. 18 and the winner on Dec. 10. Ohio State has three Lombardi Award semifinalists — defensive end Caden Curry and linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles — and Tech is the only other team with two.
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Butkus Award finalists will be announced on Nov. 25 and the winner by Dec. 10. Ohio State's Reese and Styles are the only teammates among the Butkus Award semifinalists.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football's David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez up for big awards
